adj B1 Intermediate Common

stunning

Stunning (adj) means Extremely beautiful or impressive. Example: “The view from the summit was stunning.”

adj

Extremely beautiful or impressive.

"The view from the summit was stunning."

"She wore a stunning red gown to the gala."

Shocking or startling.

"It was a stunning defeat for the reigning champions."

How to use stunning

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither breathtakingly beautiful, or shocking/surprising, depending on context.

Common pairings

stunning views stunning victory stunning defeat

Word forms

more stunning comparative, stunnings plural, most stunning superlative

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The view from the summit was _____.

Etymology

From Middle English stunnyng, stunnynge, stounyng, equivalent to stun + -ing.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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gorgeous breathtaking striking dazzling astonishing spectacular

Related words

light beautiful contact amazing moving species telling excellent

Rhymes for stunning

cunning running gunning dunning

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Frequently asked questions

What does “stunning” mean?

The word “stunning” means extremely beautiful or impressive. In plain terms, either breathtakingly beautiful, or shocking/surprising, depending on context.

How do you use “stunning” in a sentence?

Here is “stunning” used in a sentence: “The view from the summit was stunning.”

What part of speech is “stunning”?

“Stunning” is an adjective.

Is “stunning” a common word?

“Stunning” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “stunning” have?

“Stunning” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely beautiful or impressive.

What is the difference between stunning and beautiful?

Stunning is a stronger word than beautiful, describing something extremely beautiful or impressive enough to make a striking impact. Something beautiful is pleasing to look at, whereas something stunning is so beautiful it almost takes your breath away.

Can stunning be negative?

Yes. Besides meaning extremely beautiful or impressive, stunning can mean shocking or startling. In that sense a stunning turn of events is one that catches people off guard rather than one that looks lovely.

How can stunning mean both beautiful and shocking?

Both senses come from the idea of an overwhelming impact. One meaning is extremely beautiful or impressive, and the other is shocking or startling. The surrounding context shows whether admiration or surprise is intended.

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